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The moment the Desert Eagle’s crosshair was aligned with Reiner’s right shoulder and the trigger was pulled――the Demon Steel Soldier minion entered as if to cut in there. However, it was impossible for the Demon Steel Soldier, who didn’t even have a shield, to completely hide Reiner’s body from the line of fire.
I realigned the crosshairs in an instant, gliding from the right shoulder to the right hand――then pulled the trigger.
A fiery flash came out of the muzzle, followed by a low-pitched gunshot, and then Reiner’s scream. The .50AE bullet caught him below his elbow. The impact not only detached his lower arm but also shredded it to pieces. That kind of wound――not even healing magic can regrow that hand.
Reiner immediately retreated further backward. This time hiding himself behind two Demon Steel Soldiers. He took off his hood and immediately wrapped it around his wound. Since he’s also wearing a mask that covers his mouth, people still wouldn’t be able to see his face entirely, but there’s no doubt now that he’s Reiner.
“Guuh… Sha, Shaft! ShaftShaftShaaaaaaaaft! I will never forgive you!”
Reiner barked at me from behind the Demon Steel Soldiers. But, I wasn’t there anymore.
While dodging the club swing from one of the Demon Steel Soldiers, I went to its side and fired once at its gigantic body. Strangely, the .50AE bullet simply vanished, as if being absorbed by the Soldier’s body. That shouldn’t have happened. Normally, getting hit would cause the target to recoil, get knocked back, or even down due to the power. However, the scale-like steel armor that covers the entire body is not even scratched――this is just like――.
“――a Mob enemy….”
Underneath the Kevlar mask, I involuntarily muttered out the name that I recall as the AI enemies I had faced so many times in the VMB. “Mob” is a general term for NPCs that are not controlled by the player, such as monsters and AI soldiers in the game.
In the in-game battles, violent expressions such as missing limbs and bloodshed were refrained. At most, there would be spurt of blood when hit by ranged or melee attack. But that’s all. The spatter of blood didn’t even last that long either. Especially in the mission mode where you fight against AI enemies, there are also missions where you fight extraterrestrial lifeforms――so-called alien-like monsters.
The battle with the Demon Steel Soldier reminds me of when VMB was still a VRFPS game. The Soldier swung its six-foot staff around. I lined my crosshair at its head as it attacked like a whirlwind, and pulled the trigger.
The impact of the headshot made it lose its balance. When the fierce attack stopped, I also jumped backwards, and at the same time reloaded the magazine――replacing the mag with a fully loaded one.. The place where I landed was a place where several Central Knights were gathered.
“Kuh, Black Mask Shaft? Why are you here…?”
“My escort target was also present at tonight’s banquet――that’s all. Rather, I’ll leave it to you here and Vee to hold back the enemy reinforcements coming from the outside over there.”
Vee, who decided to stay with me in this venue, was keeping the enemies outside from getting into the venue via the hole I made for the Typhoon-K.
“Fufufu, are you going to catch me with that level of swordsmanship? Inexperienced――you’re too inexperienced, you ‘low-class intruders’!”
Against six men dressed in black, Vee danced to avoid their onslaught, treating the intruders as if they were practicing. But, how come that perverted woman is still in stealth?
A barrier is still operating inside the venue that blocks magic and skills. It’s obvious when looking at Reiner, who didn’t treat his lost right arm with magic, but only ties it up to stop the bleeding. Yet, Vee’s stealth skill and nimble movement didn’t seem to be impeded by the barrier…. With her wearing that black leather armor and face mask, it would be weird if I hadn’t noticed her at all during the banquet. But, I hadn’t at all.
“W, we, the Central Knights, are entrusted with the security of this Fly Height. Rather, you should escape immediately. Besides, we must ensure the safety of the Crown Prince and Prince Ark.”
“The Crown Prince and others have already evacuated to a safer place. Rather, I would like the Knights to join Sir Crude and the others heading underground, and let those who can’t fight to escape safely, and――”
I turned my attention from Vee back to the knights, and then to Reiner who called out to my name in vengeance.
“Demon Steel Soldiers! My puppets! Ignore those small fries of knights and kill Shaft for me!”
Hearing Reiner’s barking voice, the four Demon Steel Soldiers who were fighting with the Knights in the venue, and the one embedded in the wall after being hit directly with a sledgehammer, turned their eyes to me. Their eyes glowed red.
“――as you’ve heard just now, that intruder is more inclined to me.”
“B, but, where did the Prince go…?”
“Evacuating together with Duke Barga. Quickly gather your men. There is no guarantee that there won’t be an ambush waiting for Sir Crude’s group. The attack is most likely not limited to this place alone.”
“What do you mean…”
“Just go already! And tell Sir Crude that the attackers belong to Rafflesia!”
The moment the name of “Rafflesia” was mentioned, the knights’ complexion changed. Just by hearing that name, he seemed to have guessed what was going on. I also have no intention of saying that the Second Prince is plotting a rebellion without proof. Even if the possibility is very high, I can’t say much ――at least until I know what’s going on outside Flyhigh.
The only thing that is certain now is the fact that the black-clad man with murderous intent in front of us is Reiner, a member of “Rafflesia”. At the same time as the five Demon Steel Soldiers set me as their first target and started moving, the surviving Central Knights also gathered and rushed towards the basement.
Just before leaving the venue, one of the knights looked at me and said, “Black Mask, I’ll leave this place to you!”.
I’m getting tired of having to deal with the “Cactus”. Ever since the request to escort Lapitirica-sama, they have been relentlessly aiming for Shaft—my life.
Now that I can see their true nature, I can’t let them be…. Even if my body has a monster-like natural healing power that makes me able to recover from any wound, if they keep hunting me with skills and magics that are supposed to have gone extinct and never letting me to heal, then my life will most likely end there.
In addition, the aim of the “Rafflesia” was not only the death of the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, but also the capture of Chancellor Zephanel.
It’s hard to say that Kurtmerga kingdom will remain safe and peaceful… but for a Magicless and Trespasser like me to live freely, the current monarchy as well as chancellor Zephanel need to stay in power. Besides―― I can’t handle the thought of Chancellor Zephanel, and those around her especially, being held captive by those people.
The venue of the dinner party had completely changed from the calm and lively atmosphere from a little while ago.
The corpses of knights, waiters, and guests lying miserably everywhere in the venue only added to the grim outlook. Magic attacks from outside have temporarily stopped, but it’s only a matter of time before the entire building collapses. But from now on, there’s no need to worry about accidentally shooting allies. It may cause further damage to bodies and buildings, but my first and foremost goal is to eliminate the enemy.
You can see the six-foot clubs held by the Demon Steel Soldiers turning red, leaving the handle in the center. When I switched my vision to FLIR mode, I could see that both ends of the club started to accumulate a high amount of heat.
Apparently I’m not the only one――the Demon Steel Soldiers are about to get serious too.
Burning Feathers 